2% for Hearts of Gold
Striving to break the vicious cycle of homelessness for single mothers and their children.
As part of our ongoing commitment to community, Loisa donates 2% of online sales each month to a community organization. In honor of Mother's Day this month, we are supporting Hearts of Gold, an organization working in partnership with single mothers and their children to create positive, sustainable change in their lives.
Hearts of Gold’s mission and purpose is striving to break the vicious cycle of homelessness for single mothers and their children, since 1994. With a holistic approach encapsulated under three umbrella objectives—Stabilize, Support, and Sustain—Hearts of Gold aims to transition families out of the shelter system, empowering them to become fully independent and productive members of society.
Stabilize: Laying the Foundation
Homelessness brings a cascade of emotional and physical challenges. Mothers often struggle with anger, self-blame, sadness, fear, and hopelessness, while their children bear the brunt of these emotions. Hearts of Gold’s first step in assisting these families is to stabilize their immediate needs.
Upon first engagement, the organization provides essential supplies such as MetroCards for travel to work, school, and tutoring sessions, as well as food, groceries, clothing, furniture, and school supplies. These basic necessities help alleviate the immediate stressors that families face, allowing them to begin focusing on their long-term goals.
Support: Building Life Skills
Once immediate needs are addressed, Hearts of Gold shifts its focus to support. Many of the mothers served lack the basic life skills necessary to navigate the challenges of personal, educational, and professional life. The support programs are designed to fill these gaps and help families recognize and break self-defeating habits.
Offerings include financial literacy courses, parenting skills workshops, and a summer enrichment camp for teens. Through these programs, Hearts of Gold provides the knowledge and skills that families need to grow and thrive.
Sustain: Creating Lasting Change
The ultimate goal is to create sustainable change. For the mothers, this involves completing the curriculum of the HoG Fresh Start University (FSU) Workforce Development Program. This program offers on-the-job training at the TTH Vintage Boutique resale store and provides scholarships to support higher educational opportunities. Hearts of Gold also offers job interview workshops and consulting on work-appropriate wardrobes to ensure moms are prepared to enter the workforce confidently.
For the children, sustainability means a strong educational foundation. Hearts of Gold provides private and semi-private tutoring focusing on STEAM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), as well as summer camp experiences through the S.T.E.P. (Summer Teen Enrichment Program). Additionally, free tutoring, meals, and educational trips are offered six days a week to ensure that children have the support they need to succeed.
Programs and Services
HoG Fresh Start University (FSU): This workforce development program offers on-the-job training at TTH Vintage Boutique and scholarships for higher education.
Children's Programs: Private and semi-private tutoring in STEAM disciplines and the S.T.E.P. summer camp.
Essential Services:
Collaborative Partnerships
Hearts of Gold accomplishes its mission in partnership with its "adopted" shelters. Close collaborative relationships are maintained with each shelter, particularly with their directors, who identify the mothers and children most in need. The work of Hearts of Gold goes beyond the operational scope of these shelters, making it of critical importance to both the families served and the overburdened shelters themselves.
Making a Difference
Hearts of Gold has helped 42,000+ homeless mothers and their children transition out of the shelters and into permanent homes for the past 30 years. Through comprehensive programs and services, the organization strives to stabilize, support, and sustain these families, guiding them towards a brighter, independent future.
Support for Hearts of Gold can transform lives, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word about their work. Together, a world can be created where every mother and child has the opportunity to thrive.
Learn More:
Get more information about Hearts of Gold's initiatives and programs here.
Shop:
Support Hearts of Gold by shopping at the TTH Vintage Boutique in NYC! Get more info on their location and hours here.
Donate:
Make a direct donation to Hearts of Gold here.
